Sparking Connection and Kindness: WBYC Supports Challenge Day

At WBYC, we believe that every young person deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported. That’s why we are so proud to fund and champion programs like Challenge Day, which create powerful opportunities for students to build empathy, strengthen connections, and foster a true sense of community within their schools.

This year, WBYC was honored to support Challenge Day programs at Falmouth High School and Carlisle Public School. Thanks to the dedication of the educators and the courage of the students who participated, these events sparked meaningful, lasting change. Below, teachers from each school share their reflections on the impact Challenge Day had on their students and school communities. We’re proud to share their words exactly as they were written, as a testament to the importance of programs like these.

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"Challenge Day at Falmouth High School was nothing short of transformative. Thanks to the generous support of WBYC, students in grades 9 through 12 experienced a day of connection, vulnerability, and genuine human bonding in a way we’ve never seen before. For many of us, it was the first time we got to see each other beyond the surface—beyond the cliques, the labels, and the everyday pressures of school life. Students opened up about deeply personal struggles, many in tears, sharing stories that were both heartbreaking and courageous. In those moments, walls came down, and something powerful happened: we realized we weren’t alone. Everyone is carrying something, and that simple truth created a sense of empathy and unity that has left a lasting impact.

In the days and weeks after Challenge Day, the atmosphere in our school changed. People were kinder, more understanding, and more willing to reach out. It felt like we had all taken part in something sacred—something that reminded us how important it is to be seen, heard, and supported. The funding WBYC provided didn’t just sponsor an event; it sparked a movement of connection in our school that is still rippling out. Thank you for believing in the power of programs like Challenge Day. Your generosity helped create something unforgettable, and something our school truly needed."

-Catherine Fauth, School Adjustment Counselor, Falmouth High School

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"The seventh graders at Carlisle Middle School participated in their seventh Challenge Day on March 19. This was the third Challenge Day sponsored by WBYC. Challenge Day is a powerful, high-energy program led by professional facilitators who guide youth and adult participants through interactive and engaging activities. Designed to break down social barriers, foster empathy, and build meaningful connections, this transformative experience encourages deeper understanding and unity among participants. The day's activities focus on five key competency areas: self-management, social awareness, self-awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

The program's overall goals are to increase personal power and self-esteem, shift peer pressure toward positive peer support, and eliminate the acceptability of teasing, acts of meanness, and all forms of bullying. Challenge Day aims to unite students, staff, and the community while empowering participants to carry its themes beyond the event and into the greater school environment. Challenge Day inspires a culture of kindness, empathy, and appreciation for each other’s differences."

Tracy Malone, 7th Grade Special Education Teacher, Carlisle Public School

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At WBYC, we are deeply inspired by the bravery, compassion, and growth we see when students are given the space to connect in meaningful ways. Challenge Day reminds us that when young people feel understood and supported, incredible things happen — walls come down, empathy grows, and school communities are transformed. We are proud to have played a part in bringing this powerful experience to Falmouth High School and Carlisle Public School, and we remain committed to supporting programs that help youth thrive. Together, we can continue building schools — and a world — where every young person feels like they belong.

Challenge Day at Falmouth High School, February 2025